FIELDFARE. n 



becoming less, until the 2ist, when the immigration ceased 

 (Zool. 1879, P- 212). 



Several references to this bird are contained in the Migration 

 Reports which need not be enumerated here, though it may 

 be mentioned that in 1880 migration extended over eighty 

 days, from Qth September to 27th November, and in the 

 following year from I4th September to 30th November. 

 Extraordinary " rushes " took place on I5th to i6th October 

 and 8th to I2th November 1885 ; 27th to 28th October 1891, 

 both at Spurn and Flamborough ; on loth November 1899 

 at Redcar and Flamborough, when hundreds of thousands 

 came in large flocks ; and I4th November 1900. Late 

 movements, since 1880, were noted on nth to I4th December 

 1882 ; I3th to I5th January 1883 ; 4th February 1893, 

 when they swarmed at night round the lantern at Flam- 

 borough ; January 1894 ; and, on 23rd December 1900, 

 there was an enormous immigration at Redcar, in flocks 

 of from five to eight in number, with a strong S.W. wind 

 and keen frost ; they were passing from daylight to dark, 

 evidently fleeing before a severe snowstorm, which broke 

 over Cleveland the same night.* 



Prior to leaving for its breeding haunts, the Fieldfare 

 in some districts assembles in great numbers, and there is 

 a small plantation bordering the stream traversing a secluded 

 dell in Washburndale where in mid-April Mr. W. Eagle 

 Clarke has seen hundreds, and heard them incessantly chatter- 

 ing for several days before departure. During this conclave 

 they are very restless, taking short flights en masse, but 

 returning after a short absence. There are many instances 

 of this bird's stay during May, some up to the middle of 

 that month. 



In hard winters this species feeds on Swede turnips on the 

 high Wolds of the East Riding. 



Several records exist of pied specimens having been 



* A very complete history of the Fieldfare's migratory movements 

 is written by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke (see Rep. Brit. Assoc., 1902). 



